Step 3: Putting it all together

Step 4: Your Finished!

The trick is: when I don’t want to go to the gym on a certain day I look at my presentation, and most of the time one of the reasons will motivate me...

Today I wanted to share with you a little tool I use for motivation. This can be applied to any area in your life. For this example we will use working out. It’s hard to go to the gym everyday if you don’t apply motivation correctly.

Step 1: Make a list of all the motivation factors

First, list all the motivating factors for your goal. Some may be noble, some totally selfish. That’s OK. You really need every single reason you have for reaching this goal. If your goal is to lose weight, list every possible reason that would motivate you to lose weight. Maybe you want to look better then your neighbor. Or show your co-workers you can do it.

For this example I am using the goal: Daily exercise by going to the gym.

My reasons for this:
Feel Health
Lose Weight
Look better then ____
Fit into cute clothes
Might run into that cute trainer at the gym
Have time to myself-no interruptions
Relaxing in the steam room
Release some Anger and Tension
Be able to do Adventure Travel
Listen to my music
Get a runner high
Dance/Move
Get my money's worth
Not be at home
Improve my mood

Step 2: Find an image for each reason you have listed

Next, find images that can represent that reason. For some this may be tricky. When you think of the word… motivation, what pops into your mind? I think of a person with a determined look on their face. Therefore, for the image I would try to find a person with a determined look, maybe in workout gear. Maybe a runner who is about to finish a race. The important thing is to have that image represent that reason for you.

Step 3: Putting it all together

Now, put this all together in a power point, or the free Google documents presentation software. Your going to use one slide for each reason. Load your picture.

last time I checked obesity was an illness. getting a lapband is like chemotherapy, it's not cheating, because losing weight is not a game. cancer patients receive chemotherapy, so whats wrong with obese people getting a lap band?

This is a great post on motivation. Inspiration comes from within. Your goal lists can be broken down into 1. Intrinsic Motivation and 2. Extrinsic Motivation.

1. Intrinsic motivation is something you do for yourself without any outside influence. Ex: I will workout today because I want a healthy heart.

2. Extrensic motivation is something outside of you that influences your behavior. Ex: I will workout today because I get to have that tasty 500 calorie Starbucks Cappuccino! You mention exercise a few times. I have a list of common excuses why people say they "can't exercise".